Ulster Junior Cup Quarter Finals

Super sub Doherty nets double to send Clonmany to semis

Clonmany Shamrocks  3-0    Milford United     (AET)

Clonmnay set up a mouth watering Ulster Junior cup semi final against the holders Moville Celtic when they disposed of a strong Milford outfit who had the first chance  on 17 minutes when Peter Merritt found David Curley who fired wide. The home side replied with Mark McLaughlin crossing from the right but Jason Devlin just failed to connect. On the half hour Gary Merritt for the visitors saw his effort deflected wide as the half ended scoreless. Clonmany started the second period well with Devlin sending McLaughlin clear but he scuffed his effort when well placed. On the hour Paul McLaughlin crossed for the inrushing Devlin but he failed to hit the target before Liam Hirell crossed for Michael Devlin who dummied to Mark McLaughlin but he fired over the top. Paul McLaughlin’s free was then headed over by Steve Harkin. At the other end a weak back pass saw Gary Merritt charge down an attempted clearance but Michael Grant got back to clear off the line. Clonmany responded with Paul McLaughlin’s brilliant free kick superbly saved by Enda McHugh. Milford’s Gary Merritt then broke on the right and crossed for Peter Doherty who shot just past the post. In the second minute of extra time the visitors Peter Doherty fired over the bar twice in succession. Clonmany broke the deadlock when a long clearance from Peter Devlin found Paul McLaughlin who drilled a low twenty yards effort to the bottom corner. In the second period Peter Devlin kept Clonmany ahead with a brilliant close range save to deny Anthony Hegarty. Clonmany broke with Michael Devlin sending Aiden Doherty clear and he chipped McHugh from the edge of the area.They sealed the tie when Grant crossed for Doherty to fire to the roof of the net from twenty yards.

Veteran Doherty hits sublime hat trick as holders advance

Moville Celtic                5-0    Gweedore Celtic

Holders Moville Celtic served a clear warning as to their intentions in this season’s competition with this comprehensive victory over Gweedore Celtic.

A poor clearance by the visitors fell to Ritchie McElhinney in the opening minute but his volley crashed off the bar before neat interplay ended with PJ Barr seeing his tame shot gathered by Michael McKelvey.Gweedore replied with Clon Ferry seeing his header clip the top of the bar on the way over before Oran McNelis headed straight at Paul White when unmarked at the back post.Moville replied with Mckelvey gathering well at the feet of McMonagle before McMonagle beats the offside trap and flashes a left footed effort across goal and wide.The home side took the lead on 28 minutes with McMonagle feeding Joe Doherty who despite being off balance flicked the ball past McKelvey. Moville’s Gavin Doherty and PJ Barr then both went close with good efforts before a scramble in the Moville area saw the ball trickle across goal and wide. Ferry then had a sniff of goal but Kevin Coyle blocked his effort and then White then saved well from a Mcnelis free kick taken quickly.The home side went two nil up on 38 minutes when Joe Doherty curled a superb twenty yards effort just inside the post and past the despairing dive of McKelvey. Before the break an unmarked Declan McGuinness saw a flick turned onto the bar by McKelvey.

Moville got off to a flyer in the second period and when a long ball caused confusion McElhinney headed onto McMonagle who fired low to the net from fourteen yards. McMonagle then ran onto a Shane Canning pass and evaded a few challenges but fired inches wide before McGuinness headed over following a corner.Neat play between Doherty and McMonagle set up McElhinney but his effort was brilliantly cleared off the line by Kevin Friel. Moville made it four when Canning fires a superb twenty yards effort to the bottom corner with McKelvey stranded.Joe Doherty then completed his hat trick on 76 minutes when he pounced on a defensive error and brilliantly chipped the visitors keeper from thirty yards. Gweedore ‘s Friel rose highest at the back post but failed to trouble White in the home goal. In the closing minutes McMonagle’s rasping shot was palmed away by Mckelvey before Joe Doherty fired wide when in a good position.

Ulster Junior Cup

Barr double inspires Holders 

Moville Celtic      5-3              Redcastle United

Holders Moville got off to a flying start when they took the lead after 2 minutes after Nigel McMonagle found Ritchie McElhinney and he drilled a low shot past Gerard Crossan from six yards. Minutes later they almost doubled their lead but Crossan excelled to make a brilliant point blank save to turn a  PJ Barr  header round the post. They increased their lead when McMonagle raced clear of the visitors defence and coolly drew Crossan before slotting low to the net. Both sides were forced into a re-shuffle when Moville’s Shane Canning and Redcastle’s Daniel Harkin were injured in an accidental clash and both are wished speedy recoveries. Moville had the first chance of the second half when Barr fed McMonagle but he shot tamely at Crossan when well placed.Redcastle upped the tempo and got back into the game on 65 minutes when Eddie McIntyre beat the offside to slot home from sixteen yards.They equalized  when Jimmy Gallagher’s long range shot took a wicked deflection past Paul White in the home goal.Moville replied with McElhinney seeing a well struck half volley parried by Crossan which resulted in a scramble before Redcastle cleared.On 85 minutes a quick break by Redcastle saw Eamon Donnelly break into the area and see his  cross shot beat White but rebound into the keepers arms off the post.Redcastle suffered a big blow when they were reduced to ten men after Ciaran McGrory was redcarded as extra time loomed. Moville regained the lead with a brilliant strike from PJ Barr which nestled in the top corner from all of thirty yards. Minutes later they increased their lead to four two when Barr added his second sliding in to force the ball home after a good cross from McElhinney.Within a minute of the restart Redcastle reduced the deficit when Gallagher added his second of the game when he sidefooted home an McIntyre cross from the right. Redcastle forced a corner but Moville broke quickly and when substitute Oran McDermott raced through he rounded Crossan and squared to McMonagle to slot home.

O’Connor keeps cool head in sudden death shootout       

Cockhill Cel Yths                   v        Dunfanaghy Town

(AET) Cockhill 5-4 on sudden death penalties

Cockhill started well with a lot of possession but the first chance came on 19 minutes with Kieran McLaughlin firing over from twelve yards. They took the lead on 36 minutes after a good move ended with Seamus Gill playing a disguised pass to the over lapping Liam McCarron to slide the ball home from fifteen yards. Dunfanaghy replied after a corner fell to Daniel Mclaughlin but he failed to hit the target when he should have done better. On the restart the visitors came more into the game when they broke quickly with McLaughlin feeding James Alcorn and he fired past Leo McColgan from ten yards.Cockhill pressed towards the end of the game but McLaughlin, James O’Donnell, Eamon Porter and McCarron but they all failed to hit the target. In extra time there were no clear cut chances for either side and the shootout saw William O’Connor convert a sudden death penalty kick to advance on penalties for the second week running.

Milford too strong for young Carn side        

Milford United              3-1    Carn FC

There was a huge question mark over whether this game should have been played or not as the lines were barely visible but referee Paddy Melaugh decided to go ahead. Milford took full advantage and raced into an early two nil lead over an understrength and young Carn side.Milford took the lead on 2 minutes when Dixie Gallagher’s free deceived  the home defence and Peter Doherty headed past Declan O’Donnell.They doubled their lead on 11 minutes when Gallagher headed the ball back into the area and Doherty headed home with the visitors appealing for offside. Carn got back into the game when Darren Loftus fed Tiernan Coyne on the right and he squared to Andrew Doherty to fire to the top corner from twenty five yards. Carn were on top with Gerard McEleney seeing a header crash off the bar and Coyne heading the rebound over the top. They had another chance before the break when Liam Doherty ran clear but Enda McHugh made a superb save to tip his shot round the post. On 54 minutes Dermot and Liam Doherty combined for the latter to see his effort cleared off the line by Gallagher. Milford broke on 68 minutes  when Peter Doherty released Stephen McLaughlin again with Carn looking for offside and McLaughlin chipped O’Donnell. Milford sat back and Carn failed to break them down but Fergal Doherty had an effort fly just past the post.

Devlin hits winner in poor conditions

Ballybofey Utd              1-2    Clonmany Shamrocks

Played on a very poor pitch in Ballybofey the Shamrocks overcame the elements and opened the scoring in the 2^nd minute when a good cross from John McLaughlin was slotted home by Paul McLaughlin from ten yards. The home side replied and equalized with Rory Feeney turning sharply in the area before seeing his effort deflect off a defender past Peter Devlin. Paul McLaughlin then blazed over the top before Kevin McCarron had an effort saved by keeper Daniel Gallen.On 32 minutes the home side’s Christopher McDaid broke through one on one with Devlin but the Clonmany keeper saved well. Clonmany hit back instantly and regained the lead when a great run by John McLaughlin took him past three defenders before laying off to Michael Devlin to loop an effort over the head of Gallen. McCarron was then set up by a neat back heel from Raymond Mcdaid but fired just wide before Michael Grant won possession to feed Devlin but he shot narrowly wide. On the hour the home side’s Kevin Doherty had a free kick saved by Devlin and when the shamrocks broke upfield Paul McLaughlin blazed wide when well placed. From then on Ballybofey pressed with Feeney, Doherty and Alan Patton all having efforts on target which Devlin saved and the Clonmany side held on to advance.

Cockhill take full advantage of second chance !!

Cockhill Celtic Yths        1-1            Dunree United

(AET Cockhill win 5-3 on pens)

With the original game abandoned due to heavy fog ( Dunree leading by two goals to nil at the time ) Cockhill took full advantage of this second opportunity and progressed to the next round. Dunree had the first chance but Daithi McColgan mishit his effort when well placed. Play was very even until before the break when Michael McGlynn broke to lay off to Liam baldrick but he fired just wide from twenty five yards. Dunree took the lead on 35 minutes when a defensive mix up allowed Brendan McDaid lob Leo McColgan from close range.From the restart Dunree gained possession with Mcdaid racing clear but denied by a fine save from McColgan. Cockhill got back on terms on 41 minutes when Eamon Porter slotted home from six yards after Kieran McLaughlin had headed down a corner. Cockhill started the second period well with Porter, James O’Donnell and Martin Bradley all having efforts but they failed to hit the target. Then O’Donnell crossed from the left for Sean Porter who somehow lifted the ball over the top from point blank range. On 79 minutes O’Donnell had a decent effort saved by Johnathan Noone. In extra time both sides had chances with O’Donnell firing wide when well placed while at the other end Derek Murphy almost got on the end of a back pass which went past McColgan but the ball ran wide. Cockhill’s reward is a home tie next week against Dunfanaghy.

Dunree United     4-2    Tullyvinney Rovers      

Dunree began with the wind and Derek Murphy had an early effort well saved by Kieran McLaugh before Ryan Bradley fired straight at the keeper when well placed.Midway through the half the visitors Matin Alexander beat the offside trap to run clear and round Johnathan Noone and slot home to give the visitors the lead. Dunree leveled minutes later when Liam Baldrick fired a superb twenty five yards free kick to the top corner.A short corner then found Michael McGlynn whose cross shot was cleared off the line. Dunree took the lead on 35 minutes when Baldrick’s corner was headed home at the back post by NJ McCarron. In the second period Dunree started well with Philip McGuinness crossing for Kevin McColgan who headed home from five yards after 55 minutes.The visitors reduced the deficit on 75 minutes when Noone failed to collect a free allowing Derek Breslin to slot the loose ball home. Dunree upped the tempo with McGlynn playing a one two with McGuinness before shootling low to the corner from fifteen yards and seal the tie for the home side.

Aileach FC          1-2    Cranford United 

This game was reversed to Cranford and the hosts took full advantage. Aileach started well and took the lead on 16 minutes when Paul McHugh and Dermot Doherty combined on the right and crossed for Martin Donaghey to force the ball home from six yards past Brendan Logue. Aileach dominated the remainder of the half with Anthony Doherty, McHugh and Neil McElhinney all going close with decent efforts. Within five minutes of the restart the game was turned on its head when Shay Coyle’s shot on the turn crept inside Ciaran Gallagher’s left hand post. Minutes later poor defending allowed Brendan Giles to head into the empty net from point blank range.Aileach replied and threw everything at them with Anthony Doherty firing over from six yards before Logue , who was like a magnet to the ball, blocked Donaghey’s close range efforts. Aileach had a lot of pressure and half chances       but gutsy defending by Cranford meant they progressed but Darren McDermott will see this as one that definitely got away.

Redcastle United           2-0    QPS 

With the wind the home side took time to settle and on 21 minutes Ryan McMonagle tested JP McColgan with a good effort from distance. The point replied with Terry McColgan cut in from left and saw his shot saved by Gerard Crossan. On the half hour Eamon Donnelly saw his free kick clip the outside of McColgans post before on the stroke of half time Daniel Harkin crossed for Andy Porter to see his header parried by McColgan. Minutes after the restart Eddie Mcintyre had a free well saved low to his right by McColgan before at the other end Colm McLaughlin volleyed just wide from twenty five yards. Redcastle broke the deadlock on 55 minutes after Liam Davenport broke on the right and fed McMonagle to lay off to McIntyre to drill low to the net from eight yards. On the hour Bob Buchanan’s free found McLaughlin but his header was saved by Crossan. They went close again when Buchanan fired wide from close range in a crowded goalmouth. Redcastle sealed the tie on 81 minutes after great work by Stephen Davenport saw him beat two men to lay off to McIntyre to round McColgan and slot home. Minutes later Davenport released McCormick whose effort was cleared off the line by Oisin McColgan.                   

Glengad United   6-0    Gleneely Colts    

Glengad got off to a dream start after 3minutes when Patrick McDermott converted a penalty low past Jason McElhinney after he had been upended. The colts replied with Declan Kearney feeding brother Barry whose powerful shot rebounded off the post. The home side made it two on 11 minutes when Stephen McLaughlin advanced on the right and crossed for JG McDermott to head home from six yards. They had to wait until 55 minutes to add a third when Stephen Mclaughlin scored with a spectacular diving header. Minutes later an Alan Orr corner deflected of a defender on its way to the net. Midway through the half JG McLaughlin ran from midfield to see his effort parried by McElhinney but Stephen McLaughlin slotted the rebound home. They completed the scoring when Terence Doherty beat two defenders and slotted low to the corner from twelve yards as Glengad advance to the next round.                       

Clonmany Shamrocks  3-0    Glenree United   

Clonmany dominated the opening period with the wind and on 4 minutes Kevin McCarron crossed to Paul McLaughlin whose effort was blocked on the line by Gareth Ladely. Michael Grant then fed McCarron on the right and his cross was met by Patrick Harkin but keeper John McGettigan gathered easily. McLaughlin then fed Raymond McDaid to advance into the area but blasted high and wide when well placed. Midway through the half the shamrocks opened the scoring when McCarron played a ball behind the visitors defence for Patrick Harkin to fire low past McGettigan from fourteen yards. On 35 minutes they made it two when McCarron and Harkin combined to tee up Michael Devlin to sidefoot home from twelve yards. Glenree came more into the game in the second period but lacked a cutting edge.On the hour substitute John McLaughlin found Steve Harkin who found the overlapping McLaughlin but saw his effort crash off the post. A deep cross had Peter Devlin scrambling and when challenged the ball fell to Patrick McGroarty whose effort was headed round the post by Darren Grant.From the corner the ball fell to substitute Michael McBride whose wind assisted shot was tipped over the bar by Devlin. Clonmany responded with harkin running from deep but  McGettigan advanced to gather.Glenree’s Paul Coyle then had an effort saved by Devlin before at the other end substitute Brendan Devlin fired wide when in a great position. Clonmany added a third when Patrick Harkin sidefooted home from ten yards after good work by John McLaughlin to seal the home side’s progress.      

Milford United              3-2    Rasheney FC

Milford opened the scoring on 2 minutes after a long kick by Sean Barrett allowed Sean McHugh to fire low past Damien Friel from a tight angle. Midway through the half they doubled their lead when JJ Fleming’s cross deceived Friel and dropped in at the back post.Rasheney got back into the game after good play between Corny McCole and John Doherty found Shane Collins to fire past Barrett on 33 minutes. Rasheney exerted a lot of pressure with Emyln Doherty firing over on 55 minutes but they failed to create any clear chances. Milford broke on 82 minutes and McHugh had a shot well saved by Friel but the loose ball to Daniel Gallagher who slotted home. Rasheney got a consolation in the closing minutes after a superb solo goal by Collins saw him go past three defenders and slot home.

Kilmacrennan Celtic     3-4    Moville Celtic

This was an excellent result for Darren Bredin’s men and there was little to report until midway through the half when Joe Doherty headed on for Declan McGuinness who flashed a volley across the face of goal and wide. They went close again when PJ Barr saw a header shave the post. Moville took the lead on 41 minutes when McGuinness powered a header from a Joe Doherty corner in off the underside of the bar. Minutes later the home side went close after a scramble allowed Edmund Doherty a shot which Ralph Bredin brilliantly turned round the post. From the resultant corner Gary Gorman poked home from close range.Kilmacrennan took the lead on the stroke of half time when Doherty beat the offside trap to race clear and fire low past Bredin. From the restart Joe Doherty saw an audacious lob from an acute angle bounce off the bar to safety. PJ barr then teed up Shane Canning whose powerful shot was beaten away by Liam McBride. Moville suffered a blow on the hour when Canning was red carded for two bookings they got back on terms shortly after when Darryl Doherty crossed for Joe Doherty to head over the advancing McBride. On 77 minutes Joe Doherty saw a shot deflected to Ritchie McElhinney but he slotted wide from close range. PJ Barr then raced clear but his effort was deflected away by McBride. Moville then took the lead when Doherty outmuscled a defender but saw his effort hold up inches short of the line and McElhinney slammed the ball home. Moville made it four two on 88 minutes when Joe Doherty fired a superb free kick to the top corner. Kilmacrennan gained a consolation when Edmund Doherty slipped the ball low past Bredin from twelve yards but Moville stood firm.

Cappry Rovers    1-2    Carn FC

Carn started well with Liam Doherty beating the fullback and pulling the ball back to Ronan Doherty who fired in a shot which crashed off the crossbar. They took the lead midway through the half after the home defence failed to clear a corner and Doherty squared the ball to Brendan Tabb to slot low past Curran in the home goal from six yards. Carn made it two on the stroke of half time when Andrew Doherty fired low to the corner from the edge of the area after he pounced on a headed clearance. Cappry got back into the game on 55 minutes when Hugh Boyle drilled a clearance from a corner low past Declan O’Donnell from fifteen yards on 55 minutes. Carn responded well with Cathal Doherty heading a Tabb cross onto the bar before Darrel Loftus released Tabb who was denied by a fine smothering save from Curran. On 85 minutes Tabb and Andrew Doherty combined to release Cathal Doherty whose low effort from twelve yards rebounded off the post.Cappry tried to force extra time but Dermot Coyle’s side stood firm to score an excellent victory.

Colts hit back in second half to ko Illies

Gleneely Colts     4-2    Illies Celtic

First division Colts overturned a half time deficit to dump premier division Illies from this seasons competition. In a very open game Illies took the lead on 8 minutes after the home defence failed to clear a corner and Noel McGlinchey hammered low past Martin Mooney from ten yards.Gleneely almost replied instantly but Declan Kearney’s well struck free was parried at full stretch by Noel McDermott.At the other end Mooney failed to hold a high ball but Aiden Doherty hooked it over the top before JP Lafferty turned inside the area  but saw his effort clawed away by McDermott.Gleneely got on top with Ronan Kearney firing straight at McDermott before Lafferty beat a defender on the left and fired just over the bar.Illies replied with Aiden Doherty crossing for Dominic Coyle at the back post but he fired wide. The colts then went close with Ruairi Kelly having a header cleared off the line by Andrew McLaughlin before Kelly saw his effort blocked and Ronan Kearney shot over the top under pressure from a defender. Illies should have doubled their lead on 40 minutes after Aiden Doherty crossed from the right to brother Paddy but he headed wide from eight yards when he should have done better.Gleneely levelled immediately when McDermott failed to collect Mooney’s kick out and the ball deflected of  Lafferty to the net. Illies upped the tempo with Paddy Doherty unlucky to see his rasping shot crash off the post before Aiden Doherty was denied by Mooney and the same player blazed over after good work by Coyle.They regained the lead on 45 minutes when Gavin Doherty neatly flicked the ball on for Sean Coyle in acres of space and he fired high past Mooney from sixteen yards. Gleneely started the second period well and on two occasions Declan Kearney saw corners cleared off the line by the Illies defence. On the hour the colts got back on terms when Kearney converted a penalty awarded after he had been upended. Illies tried to hit back with Paddy Doherty flashing a shot from twenty five yards just wide before substitute Corey O’Brien for the colts had a shot well parried by McDermott but the rebound was slotted home by Lafferty from eight yards. A long clearance by Mooney was flicked on by Jason McElhinney to O’Brien and he drove  low past McDermott from the edge of the area on 77 minutes. Illies pushed the home side back with Doherty and Sean Coyle having long range efforts but they failed to trouble Mooney. A superb run by another substitute John Doherty saw him find O’Brien but he dragged his effort wide of the far post as the home side advanced to the next round.

Fruitless journey for Dougal’s side

Dunfanaghy Town                  1-0    Carrowmena FC

Carrowmena made the long trek to Dunfanaghy and despite a good display went down to a 72^nd minute goal on a very wet pitch.Carrowmena started well with Dermot Harkin crossing for David Heuston whose left footed effort from a tight angle went just wide.The game developed into midfield battle with James Henry prominent for the visitors and Ronan McElhinney prominent for the home side. Midway through the half Johnathan Mclaughlin fed Matthew Henry crossed but Heuston just failed to connect. On 35 minutes Barry McGinley’s speculative effort was not held by Michael Noone but there were no takers for the loose ball.Both teams found conditions tough to deal with in the second period with very few chances at all.Dunfanaghy struck for the crucial goal on 72 minutes when David McLaughlin fed John Sheridan on the right and he lobbed the advancing Noone to see the ball dip under the bar. Carrowmena threw caution to the wind in the remaining quarter with substitute Paul McGowan, Heuston and Brian Kone all taking saves from keeper Liam McMallon. The home defence stood firm to advance to the next round.

Gweedore strike for late late winner

Gweedore Celtic           2-1    Culdaff FC

Played in wet conditions but on a perfect pitch the home side started well with a free kick by Oran McDermott tipped round the post by Martin McLaughlin. Culdaff replied with Niall Gordon heading on to Gerard McLaughlin who cut in from the right but his low shot was well saved by Michael McKelvey. A long kick out by  keeper was missed by the visitors defence allowing Eamon McGee in but his attempted lob was well blocked by McLaughlin.Midway through the half another free by McDermott was well held by McLaughlin. Culdaff went close when Michael Coyle and McLaughlin combined but  Coyle was denied by good defending from the home side. Culdaff broke the deadlock on 38 minutes after Eugene McLaughlin fed Gerard McLaughlin on the left and his low shot took a deflection off a defender on its way to the net. Gweedore responded and got back on terms just before the interval when Jimmy Boyle flicked the ball home at the near post following a corner. They had another shot  from McGee on the stroke of half time but McLaughlin saved well. Gweedore started the second period well but  the Culdaff defence stood firm.On 57 minutes Culdaffs Dermot Collins raced through the home defence and opted to pass when he really should have shot himself and the chance was lost. Minutes later Gerard McLaughlin for the visitors burst through the centre but fired wide from the edge of the area. The home side hit back with Paul McBride advancing on the left to slip the ball to McGee but McLaughlin advanced to block with his feet but substitute Thomas Diver blazed over the top. At the other end Niall Gordon was fouled thirty yards out but Conor McLaughlin’s free was just over the top before Gerard McLaughlin played a great ball into Michael Coyle but he was dispossessed by a superb tackle from McNelis. On 80 minutes Gerard McLaughlin had a fine effort tipped over the bar by McKelvey.Gweedore’s Diver then skipped past three defenders and was brought down on the edge of the area but Conor McLaughlin cleared the resultant free before Diver then fired in a shot which shaved the post. Gweedore struck for the winner on 88 minutes when Diver robbed a defender to run on and when his shot rebounded off the post he followed up to slot home from close range.